CHARLOTTETOWN, P.E.I. - None of Charlottetown’s five mayoral candidates seemed very keen on the idea of building a 5,000-seat multi-use sports and centre in the city.
It was one of a series of questions posed to Kim Devine, Philip Brown, Cecil Villard, Jamie Larkin and William McFadden at The Guardian’s Charlottetown Mayoral Debate Wednesday evening at the W.A. Murphy Student Centre at UPEI.
A task force has recommended the development of such a facility. The much-awaited report calls for a facility capable of hosting major national events. But, it comes with a hefty price tag, as high as $80 million.
Current Mayor Clifford Lee is on record many times as saying it could never happen without significant financial involvement of both the provincial and federal governments and likely fundraising.
Devine said the idea of a fancy new rink is exciting, “but I’ve heard a lot of mixed reaction at the door’’.
Devine said money might better be spent on neighbourhood rinks. She also pointed out that while user groups have been consulted the wider community has not been.
“Would (a new rink) mean a tax increase? We have to have talks with the provincial and federal governments,’’ she said, adding that it would take multiple parties to help with operating costs.
Larkin wants to know where the money would come from and noted that big infrastructure projects should be done in an open and transparent process. He also said such projects should be voted on by the people of Charlottetown.
Larkin, who talked often during the debate about the need for affordable housing, talked about it again during the arena debate.
“I know I sound like a broken record, but housing is more important than an $80-million arena,’’ he said.
Part of the reasons why a task force is looking at a new arena is that P.E.I. is likely hosting the 2023 Canada Winter Games.
Villard doesn’t think a new arena will happen but did stress that the city is in need of another sheet of ice. He talked about using a hybrid type of ice surface which would be eligible for Games funding.
Brown said like any project there would most certainly be cost overruns. He suggested looking at a new triplex for hockey, figure skating and speed skating.
Related: Charlottetown CAO Peter Kelly leads to heated exchange at The Guardian's Mayor's Debate
